ICTs, Sustainability and Climate Change

​​​"Climate change is a global challenge that we cannot afford to lose"

Dr Hamadoun I. Touré, ITU Secretary-General​

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as satellites, mobile phones or the Internet, play a key role in addressing the major challenges related with climate change and sustainable development. ICTs are fundamental for monitoring climate change, mitigating and adapting to its effects and assisting in the transition towards a green economy. ​​By raising awareness of the role of ICTs, ITU is promoting transformative solutions that can ensure a sustainable future for all. Explore the links below to find more about ITU’s vision and mission in the area of environmental sustainability and climate change.​

Agreement on new targets to be reached by 2020

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The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2014 has established a new mandate for ITU in the area of sustainability and climate change. The new mandate includes a revision of Resolution 182 and the establishment of the new Connect 2020 agenda, which sets out the vision, goals and targets that ITU and its Member States have committed to achieve by 2020. Connect 2020 includes two ambitious targets directed at reducing the enviornmental footprint of the ICT sector:

Volume of redundant e-waste to be reduced by 50% by 2020

Greenhouse Gas emissions generated by the telecommunication/ICT sector to be decreased per device by 30% by 2020

ITU at the 2014 United Nations Climate Change Conference

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The 2014 UN Climate Change Conference (COP-20/CMP-10) will take place in Lima from 1 to 12 December 2014. This conference will be a milestone on the road towards establishing a new legally binding agreement to address the challenges of climate change.

FOCUS GROUP ON SMART WATER MANAGEMENT (FG-SWM)

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The FG-SWM provides a platform to share views, develop a series of deliverables and showcase initiatives, projects, policies and standards activities that are taking place in the area of smart water management. The next meeting of the FG-SWM will take place on 9 December 2014​ in Kochi, India.

ITU's Sixth WTDC

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​ITU's Sixth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 March to 10 April 2014. The Dubai Declaration, a major outcome of WTDC-14, has great significance for issues relating to the environment and climate change. One of its objectives is to enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as disaster management efforts, through telecommunications and ICTs.

JOINT INITIATIVES

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ITU is involved in several joint initiatives and collaborations with a range of actors and stakeholders. These joint initiatives and collaborations emphasize ITU's role as a global catalyst on several issues, including climate monitoring, early warning sytems, e-waste and, more globally, social and environmental e-sustainability.

ITU in the UN Environmental Agenda

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ITU is helping to develop a unified and collaborative UN strategy to protect the environment and combat climate change. ​ITU actively participates in the work of the UN, including its Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to address the causes and consequences of climate change.

GLOBAL PORTAL ON ICTS, THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

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​The Global Portal on ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change provides references to external resources on ICTs and the environment, including information on climate change, conflict minerals, e-waste and other sustainability issues.